Edna Hayes

Based in Central North Carolina, Edna Hayes draws inspiration from the stunning natural landscapes that surround her, including the vast beaches and majestic mountains. She loves creating art that encourages others to find the joy and beauty in everyday moments – to ‘Look for the Gold.’ Living Amidst such diverse landscapes, alongside the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and a vibrant arts community rich in pottery and furniture traditions, provides endless inspiration for her abstract and abstract realism artwork.

Edna’s artistic journey began in elementary school, where her elementary teaches often enlisted her talents in classroom projects. Her passion for art blossomed alongside her commitment to making a positive impact on others, reflected in her roles as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, and mentor for young children. Despite her lifelong love of art, Edna initially pursued a career in IT development within the furniture industry. However, the unexpected closure of the company she worked for, along with her husband receiving a very difficult health diagnosis, renewed her desire to pursue her dream of becoming an artist and making a positive difference in the world.

Determined to make a difference both through art and her personal experiences, Edna enrolled in the Milan Art Institute’s online Mastery Program. This training was instrumental in empowering her to embrace her identity as an artist while reinforcing her commitment to uplifting others through her work.

Edna employs a diverse array of media, transforming her creations into masterpieces that resonate with the heart. Her signature style features vibrant acrylics, inks, collage elements, oils, and rich textures. Notably, gold – either gold leaf or gold paint – and music notes are prominent motifs in her artwork, symbolizing growth, resilience, and the uplifting power of music. Edna believes that every challenge brings with it a lesson of beauty and strength, and the “gold” in her pieces serves as a reminder of the positive transformations that arise from life’s trials and how we have to “Look for the Gold” or the value in all of life’s situations. Music, too, holds great significance for Edna, as she finds it to be a source of joy and peace, even in difficult times. Music notes woven into her artwork represent her belief in the transformational power of art as a form of encouragement and praise.